What happened
During the takeoff phase, observers near the airport noted that the right engine appeared to be operating improperly and failing to produce sufficient power. Witnesses positioned approximately half a mile northwest of the airfield observed the aircraft performing a right turn, noting that the engine noise was abnormal and that grayish-black smoke was visible trailing from the plane. Following this, the aircraft experienced a left roll and descended in a nose-down attitude, ultimately impacting the front yard of a house.
Findings
Investigations into the aircraft's maintenance history showed that an annual inspection and significant repairs had been performed roughly three months before the accident. This maintenance included addressing a rough-running right engine by replacing the fuel pump, metering valve, and fuel manifold with overhauled components. During this process, the fuel flow on the right engine was reset in a manner that deviated from the manufacturer's service information directive. While the fuel pump could not be tested due to thermal damage, investigators could not confirm if this specific procedure caused the power loss.
Post-crash examinations of the wreckage and both engines showed no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the impact. However, analysis of the right propeller revealed that the blades had not been feathered, which is the required emergency procedure for an engine power loss. Evidence from the propellers indicated that the right engine was producing low or no power at the time of impact, whereas the left engine was still producing power.